One last bite: 'Twilight' update

As ‘The Twilight Saga’ comes to an end, here’s a refresher on the story so far

In this Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 photo, from left, actor Robert Pattinson, actress Kristen Stewart, actor Taylor Lautner, and director Bill Condon, from the upcoming film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2," pose for a portrait in Los Angeles. “Twilight” rocketed Stewart and Pattinson to superstardom, and their real-life romance only propelled them further. With the release on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 of the final film in the franchise, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” the young actors bid farewell to the worldwide fantasy sensation. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
— Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 photo, from left, actor Robert Pattinson, actress Kristen Stewart, actor Taylor Lautner, and director Bill Condon, from the upcoming film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2," pose for a portrait in Los Angeles. “Twilight” rocketed Stewart and Pattinson to superstardom, and their real-life romance only propelled them further. With the release on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 of the final film in the franchise, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” the young actors bid farewell to the worldwide fantasy sensation. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
/ Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

After seven years, four books and five movies, the “Twilight” craze is coming to a close. When “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part Two” is released Friday, it will be time to say goodbye to sparkly vampires, hunky werewolves and moody soundtracks featuring the band Muse.

“I’m not ready for this,” said self-proclaimed “Twilight” superfan Marie Rodriguez. “I know people think it’s corny, but the books and movies have been an escape for me these last few years.”

Since Stephenie Meyer first published her young adult novel about a girl who falls in love with a chaste vampire in 2005, it captured the imagination of not just the intended teen audience but mothers and grandmothers, too.

People went vampire crazy.

They wore shirts that proclaimed either “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” There was a “Twilight”-inspired fashion line at Nordstrom. Tourists visited Forks, Wash., where the story is set. High school students around the world argued about why a werewolf is a better boyfriend than a vampire (he’s warmer).

Not to mention all the are-they-or-aren’t-they tabloid drama between the “Twilight” stars, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

And though zombies may be the creatures of choice right now, there’s still plenty of enthusiasm about “Breaking Dawn.”

Factoid of the week

The Edward character turned into a vampire in 1918, when he was on the verge of death from Spanish influenza.

“I always make a big to-do when each movie comes out,” said Rodriguez, 32. “Me and my friends drink red wine, we wait in line, we laugh and we cry. It’s been a special part of my life that I look forward to. But this is the last time and I’m feeling pretty sad about it.”

Though Friday marks the release of the last movie, at this summer’s Comic-Con, Meyer announced that the story isn’t quite over. A story about Bella and Edward’s daughter, Renesmee, is in the works.

So for those who have managed to avoid all things “Twilight” or even for mild fans who need a refresher, here’s a look at the series up until now.

Main characters

Bella Swan (Stewart): An introverted girl who moves to Forks, Wash., the rainiest place in the U.S. She falls in love and eventually marries the very pale and possessive Edward Cullen.

Edward Cullen (Pattinson): A vampire who is so handsome and so in love with Bella that he makes all human boyfriends look bad. He and his family only drink the blood of animals, not humans, but they’re still very sensitive to the smell.

Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner): A family friend from the nearby Quileute tribe who is also a werewolf. He had an intense crush on Bella until he imprinted on her daughter, Renesmee.

What’s going on?

"Twilight:" Published in 2005, film released in 2008. The first book deals with the intense romance between Edward and Bella and their unique problem: They can’t really touch or kiss for fear of Edward harming Bella.